Membertou citizens honoured at ceremony

MEMBERTOU — The Membertou First Nation honoured outstanding citizens of the community in an award ceremony on Tuesday.

In the back, Brody Joe, left, and Tanaya Paul proudly show off their sportsperson of the year awards.In the front, Gail Christmas, left, who won the Citizen of the Year Award, Chief Terry Paul, centre, and Jane Meader who won the Culture and Language award at the Membertou Citizen Award ceremony. Submitted by Jenna Chisholm.

Five residents were honoured with various awards during the ceremony, including Tanaya Paul as the female sportsperson of the year.

The 14-year-old Sherwood Park student plays volleyball, basketball, swims and also cheerleads for her school.

"It makes me feel honoured that they think of me as an athletic person, that I'm good at sports," said Paul.

Paul said she was surprised to be honoured by her community.

"I was shocked, but I was really happy. When I got onto the stage, I couldn't stop smiling."

Brody Joe won the male sportsperson of the year award. It was introduced in 1981 in memory of an outstanding young athlete of Membertou Paul Gould.

Gail Christmas won the citizen of the year award. For the past 34 years, the Bradley Christmas Memorial Trophy has been awarded to a Membertou citizen who demonstrates outstanding service to the community.

Jane Meader won the 2013 Edward Kabatay Memorial Award. The award, which is new to the ceremony this year is named after an outstanding citizen of Membertou. The award recognizes a community member who made an outstanding contribution towards the preservation of the Mi ’kmaq language and culture.

The Grand Chief Membertou lifetime achievement award was awarded to Barry Moore Sr. The award recognizes individuals who made a special life-long contribution to the Membertou community.

Caelin Coleman of North Sydney is a second-year journalism student at Holland College in Charlottetown, P.E.I., working on an internship at the Post.

In the back, Brody Joe, left, and Tanaya Paul proudly show off their sportsperson of the year awards.In the front, Gail Christmas, left, who won the Citizen of the Year Award, Chief Terry Paul, centre, and Jane Meader who won the Culture and Language award at the Membertou Citizen Award ceremony. Submitted by Jenna Chisholm.